On Tuesday, August 14th, Gonzaga University School of Law welcomed 207 incoming students. These outstanding students were selected from a pool of 1,631 applications, a 2 percent increase.

This increase, though modest, must be considered in light of decreasing law-school applications elsewhere. In the Northwest, applications were down 7.1 percent this year; nationally, they were down 4.3 percent.

First-year students hail from 32 states and 87 undergraduate institutions. Two-thirds come from outside Washington, up from 57 percent last year.

Our commitment to building diversity continues. Nine percent of first-year students self-identify as ethnically diverse, a one percent increase. Women comprise 40 percent of the class, a 3 percent decline.

Our efforts toward diversification will continue; enhanced diversity in our student body adds to a more vibrant and enriching community for us all.

The median Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) for this year’s class remains strong at 154, with the 25th percentile at 153 and the 75th percentile at 157.

The academic achievement of our incoming students is strong as well, with a median cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.34. The GPA at the 25th percentile is 3.06 and the 75th percentile is 3.54.

The 1L class of 2007 is one of the strongest entering classes in the history of the school. They bring an impressive record of academic achievement and a wide variety of life experiences to our institution. We look forward to the impact they will have on this law school over the next three years and to all that they will achieve in their professional lives.